Religious/Creed Based Days and Dates of Significance

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has a strong commitment to human rights, equity and inclusion, and recognizes and respects the diversity across our faith and cultural communities. Throughout the year, many OCDSB students and staff members may be absent from school or work to observe a particular religious/creed date or date of cultural significance. To better meet the needs of students, staff members, and families, the OCDSB avoids scheduling events, evaluations, field trips, and other important activities on many of these dates. The information below provides guidance for the observance of faith days and dates of significance by all schools and workplaces in the District.

Starred Dates 

“Starred Dates” represent dates of observance identified as most significant to faith and spiritual groups served by the District. Events should not be scheduled on these dates, for staff or for students, unless there are significant extenuating circumstances. Exceptions are sometimes made in the case of extended field trips, which are made with Superintendent approval and take into consideration the impact to students and staff participating, the availability of learning opportunities and their educational value. “Starred Dates” are reflected in the chart below. 

Date

Days of Observance

Faith or Observed By

September 26-27, 2022

inclusive

Rosh Hashanah

Judaism

September 30, 2022

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)

Indigenous

October 5, 2022

Yom Kippur

Judaism

October 5, 2022

Dussehra (Vijayadashmi)

Hinduism

October 24, 2022

Diwali Festival **

Hindu (5 day Festival)

December 25, 2022

Christmas

Christian

January 7, 2023

Christmas – Feast of the Nativity

Christian (Orthodox)

January 22, 2023

Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean New Year

Lunar New Year

Buddhism/ Confucian/Daoism

April 6, 2023

Pesach (Passover)

Judaism (The first two days and last two days of Passover are observed as full Holy Days)

April 7, 2023

Good Friday

Christian

April 9, 2023

Easter

Christian

April 14, 2023

Holy Friday

Christian (Orthodox)

April 14, 2023

Vaisakhi

Sikhism

April 21 2023

Eid-al-Fitr*

Islam (3 days Holy Days)

April 21 2023

Ridvan

Bahá’i (12-day Festival)

June 29,2023

Eid-al-Adha*

Islam (4 days Holy Days)


 Note:  * Tentative dates subject to the sighting of the moon each month 
** Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date
All Islamic, Jewish and Bahá'i Holy days commence at sunset on the preceding day.

For some observances there are a range of days considered Holy or of significance. These are provided where applicable in the third column for information purposes and are not considered Starred Days.

Dates of Observance 

The “Dates of Observance” listed in the chart below represent dates, or a range of dates, that should also be considered (in addition to the Starred Dates above) when scheduling events in schools and across the District, in order to avoid impacting students and staff who may be observing them.

Date

Days of Observance

Faith or Observed By

October 10 - 16, 2022

Sukkot

Judaism***

October 17 - 18

Simchat Torah

Judaism***

November 8, 2022

Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti*

Sikhism

November 16, 2022

Louis Riel Day

Indigenous

December 1, 2022

Nunatsiavut Day

Indigenous

January 5, 2023

Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Sikhism

January 14, 2023

Makar Sankranti

Hinduism

February 22, 2023

Ash Wednesday

Christian

March 6, 2023

Magha Puja Day **

Buddhism

March 20, 2023

Naw Ruz

Bahá’i

April 16, 2023

Orthodox Easter

Christian (Orthodox)

May 5, 2023

Wesak/Vesak**

Buddhism

May 26 -27 2023

Shavuot

Judaism***

June 21, 2023

National Indigenous Peoples Day

Indigenous


 Note:  * Tentative dates subject to the sighting of the moon each month 
** Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date
All Islamic, Jewish and Bahá'i Holy days commence at sunset on the preceding day.

For some observances there are a range of days considered Holy or of significance. These are provided where applicable in the third column for information purposes and are not considered Starred Days.

MultiFaith Calendar and Additional Dates 

There are many additional dates of religious, cultural, educational, and identity-based significance throughout the year. Information about these dates may be included in class lessons, shared on social media, posted on the District website, or shared in other channels. These dates provide important opportunities to learn about the histories, celebrations, and challenges faced by various communities. Please click here to view the full MultiFaith Calendar, and visit our Board Calendar for additional dates of significance. 

Please note, the dates reflected on this page are not meant to be exhaustive and may be updated as dates are changed or confirmed. If you would like to request that a particular date be added or ask a question, please use this Google Form

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